“They reflect what is going on in our communities and the pressures that build in other parts of the health and social care system.

“The pinch point in winter is the increase in the number of emergency admissions - patients predominantly with respiratory conditions or transient worsening of other chronic conditions usually brought on by the cold weather, reduced activity and viruses.

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of staff, average waits in A&E are low.

“However, problems arise when a patient needs admitting to hospital.

“Most of those who need a stay in hospital are our elders and the vulnerable who have increased care needs as much as medical need.

“Once in A&E they need a bed from the outset and until they are discharged from hospital and, if the support to return them to their home is limited, delays occur and new patients cannot be received.”

A report last month from the National Audit Office (NAO) found many emergency admissions through A&E were avoidable and many patients stayed in hospital “longer than is necessary”.

In 2012/13, more than a quarter of all patients attending major A&E departments were admitted to hospital, up from 19% in 2003/04.

Only a quarter of this rise was due to an increase in the number of people attending A&E, with the rest due to a higher admission rate.

Professor Mike Morgan, national clinical director for respiratory conditions at NHS England, said: “Each winter we see a spike in the number of emergency admissions for patients that are triggered by respiratory problems.

“In the elderly, minor respiratory illness, such as the common cold, can prompt care needs associated with frailty.

“My message to the public is simple: look after yourself this winter.

“If you know someone who is frail or elderly or has an existing health problem and they are feeling unwell, encourage them to seek early advice, go to their local pharmacy or GP before one problem leads to another and they end up in hospital.

“People with existing lung conditions should follow their self-management plans and seek help if uncertain.”

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Readers' comments
(1)

Anonymous | 16-Nov-2013 0:12 am

Dammed if you do and dammed if you don't! You have a less than healthy lifestyle, die younger and quicker, and are social outcasts, or you have a healthy lifestyle, live longer and then there are more elderly putting a strain on health service. Whichever, you are not popular!